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| | For the First Time Ever the Federal
Government has enacted a Pool and Spa Safety Act.
Senate Bill:
S. 1771
House Bill:
H.R. 1721
The law is named for the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James A.
Baker, III, who joined Graeme's mother, Nancy Baker, and Safe Kids USA in a
three-year advocacy campaign for the legislation. In 2002 at the age of 7,
Graeme Baker died in a spa after the powerful suction of a drain entrapped her
under water.
“While the loss of our beloved Graeme will be with us always, our hearts have
been lifted by the passage of this common-sense piece of legislation that will
save lives,” James Baker said. “We are grateful to President Bush and the
members of Congress who are making sure other children are protected from the
kind of accident that took Graeme from us.”
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The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of
2007
Specifically,
the law will:
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Prohibit the
manufacture, sale or distribution of drain covers that do not meet
anti-entrapment safety standards established by the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission.
The legislation includes a directive for the CPSC to establish a
safety standard for anti-entrapment drain covers. This would ensure
that all drain covers available in the marketplace would conform to
certain safety criteria.
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Create an incentive
grant program for states to adopt comprehensive pool and spa safety
laws requiring certain safety devices in swimming pools and spas to
protect children.
The legislation would provide grants to states that pass a
comprehensive swimming pool and spa safety law. The bill would
require states to use funds, if awarded, to hire and train personnel
for the proper enforcement of state law; and educate pool owners and
operators, pool construction and installation companies, pool
service companies and the public about the state law and about
drowning prevention practices.
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Establish a
national drowning prevention education program within the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The bill would require the CPSC to create and administer an
educational program to inform the public about ways to prevent
drowning and entrapment in swimming pools and spas and execute a
national media campaign to promote awareness of pool and spa safety
.
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Require public
pools to incorporate anti-entrapment drain covers and other layers
of protection.
The legislation
would require that each public pool and spa must be equipped with
anti-entrapment drain covers and other layers of protection, such as
safety vacuum release systems.
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